Hog Hunting Tips

Wild hog hunting is becoming more and more popular as their numbers increase each year. Hunting wild boar is a great way for hunters to put meat in the freezer during the off-season from deer hunting. Hog hunting is generally year-round in most southern states that are over populated with the non-native species. Unfortunately, most hunters tend to shoot wild hogs just like deer and watch the hog run off never to be found again. Hog shot placement is different than deer, and we’re here to tell you where you should shoot them.

As you can see from the image below, A wild hog vitals are more forward than a deer. Hunters that are shooting hogs like a deer are most likely hitting the guts and not vitals. On a broadside shot, the heart is protected by the big shoulders of a tough hog. For best hog shot placement, you need to shoot forward of where you would shoot a deer for the most success of hitting vitals.

Shot Placement With A Rifle

When rifle hunting for hogs, the most effective shot placements are behind the ear, broadside, and quartering shots. Only confident hog hunters shooting within their comfort zone really should consider a well-placed round directly behind a hog’s ear. The brain is a small target but this shot will drop a hog on the spot making tracking a non-issue.

The second shot recommended is a broadside through both shoulders opportunity. Which generally results breaking both shoulders and hitting either the heart or lungs. With broken shoulders, you will generally not have to track even the toughest of hogs very far. If the pig runs at all, it may bulldoze a short distance then expire, making tracking a piece of cake. Seasoned hog hunters will tell you, “Pin the shoulders together and they won’t go far.”

The slightly quartering to you shot is the perfect shot opportunity. Place the shot vertical center of mass where the neck meets the front of the shoulder. This will almost always sever the spine and penetrate into the lungs. This shot will usually result in a DRT animal. If not, the animal will usually be expired within 25-75 yards.

Shot Placement With A Bow

The two most effective shot opportunities while bowhunting are quartering-away and broadside shots. Slightly quartering-away shots are the most desirable, especially with the front leg forward. The heart lies low in the pocket, just to the inside of the deadly V or the armpit. Archery hog hunting enthusiasts often suggest an arrow appearing to hit too low just might be a perfect heart shot. Higher shots, up to the midline, cut through lung tissue.

The second shot, broadside or slightly quartering to you, offers a heart shot or lung shot. When shooting smaller pigs the principle of pinning the shoulders still applies. Larger hogs should be hit near the midline where the neck meets the front of the shoulder. This shot should be taken while the nearest leg is back. An arrow placed here destroys the upper lobes of a pig’s lungs.

Use The Right Gear To Get The Job Done

Hog hunters are encouraged to use heavy enough ammo to penetrate a very tough hide and deliver plenty of knockdown power as well. Bowhunters should consider durable arrows, razor-sharp fixed-blade broadheads for deep penetrating, bone-breaking, cut-on-contact performance. Broadheads should be capable of cutting through a boar’s thick shield to penetrate vitals.

Use Caution When Recovering Wild Hogs

Feral hogs are typically a tough animal to put down but at least now you know where to shoot them. They make for great hunting opportunities and are good table fare as well. Always remember to be safe when walking up on a wild hog that has been shot. I have seen hogs go down but get back up and charge a hunter when trying to recover. Use caution when recovering wild hogs and give them more time to expire if need be.

(Founder) Michael is an avid hunter that enjoys sharing his experience to help others learn about hunting. He lives and breathes hunting and the outdoor lifestyle and wants to educate and entertain hunting enthusiasts all over the world!